New Developments in Blackheath and West Bromwich, West Midlands

Payne Street and Birmingham Road, Blackheath

Black Country Housing Group (BCHG) has submitted detailed planning applications for two brownfield development sites it owns in Blackheath, West Midlands. One site is located on Payne Street and currently houses two unused office buildings and will deliver 4, two bed and 4 three bed homes for Affordable Rent. The other site is the former Sea Cadets site on Birmingham Road and will deliver one, 4 bedroom house also for Affordable Rent.

The new homes will be built using modern methods of construction. All properties will be constructed using timber frame and majority built in a factory in Walsall by the contractor, Local Homes. The process provides a number of advantages including less construction time on site, fewer deliveries to site, less material waste and improved energy efficiency resulting in lower energy costs for residents. The new homes will also help reduce carbon emissions as the heating and hot water will be provided by electricity instead of gas.

Construction work is due to start early in 2023 and is estimated to last for about 9 months. BCHG’s Chief Executive, Amanda Tomlinson says:

‘Having received pre application planning advice from Sandwell Council, BCHG is delighted to have submitted the planning applications. The new homes will provide much needed energy efficient affordable housing, which are critical in helping people meet their day to day living costs’.

Earl Street, West Bromwich

BCHG has also submitted a detailed planning application for an empty brownfield development site in West Bromwich, West Midlands. The site is owned by BCHG and is located off Earl Street and will deliver 4, two bedroom semi detached houses for Affordable Rent. The new homes will help to meet a locally identified housing need and enhance the local neighbourhood. The site has excellent transport links to bus, metro and rail network. The site is in close proximity to the High Street which is well served by a very extensive wide range of local amenities.

The new homes will all have in curtilage car parking, electrical vehicle charging points and secure cycle storage, enhancing the environmental credentials of the site and encourages sustainable forms of transport. The new homes will meet the new higher Building Regulation Part L standards for Conservation of fuel and power and reduce carbon emissions as the heating and hot water will be provided by electricity instead of gas.

Once planning is approved, work to build the homes will begin in early 2023, lasting for about 12 months. BCHG’s Deputy Chief Executive, Adrian Eggington commented:

‘We are really excited to have submitted a planning application for this vacant site. These new homes will provide high quality secure housing for local families. The rents will be set at an affordable level, helping people meet their housing costs in these difficult financial times’.